Life After My Stroke – Therapy with Tailwind

Good Thursday morning, Everyone! I’ve been out of town for a little while with my husband at a conference he had. It was a facinating trip for me because I realized very quickly that I have come such a long, long way! In a new city, I not only learned how to manage it on my own, but I thrived! I conquered walking very long distances alone, escalators, elevators and a hotel room that was very much different than my home environment! I owe this success and the confidence I had to try to tackle these things to Tailwind! Honestly, because my balance has improved so much (because my left arm is in a much more relaxed position), I was able to manage all of the new venues without fear or hesitation. Yes, things are coming along slowly, BUT they are coming along! Sincerely, Shary

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Yesterday, while walking Misty on her leash, I was able to hold the leash in my effected left hand for the entire 1/4 mile trek. Before using the tailwind, my arm wasn’t strong enough to hold her firmly, but now we confidently travel together on our walks. This is a highlight during the day for both of us! Sincerely, Shary

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2 Responses to “Misty loves tailwind too!”

Good Tuesday morning, Everyone! I need to thank Mr. Mark McEwen for being such a kind and inspirational friend. On Thursday afternoon of last week, he graciously donated his time and talents to our monthly stroke club support meeting. He did such a wonderful job cheering us all on, by simply telling his own story of stroke recovery. He mentioned his and my connection to the tailwind, and I was grateful to him for acknowledging this wonderful device. Mostly I am grateful to the people in my life who have continued to be my own “angels on earth”! NEVER give up – you don’t know where life may lead you! Sincerely, Shary

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….Good Wednesday afternoon, Everyone! Last night while sitting on the sofa to watch TV, my husband suddenly grabbed my left hand to hold it. He interlocked our two sets of fingers. We sat that way through the entire show. I had absolutely no pain, and this had been an ongoing issue for me for years. My previous therapist, Alba, would have certainly been impressed with this latest hand movement, as she worked for a long time to get my hand/fingers to tolerate this activity. It was nice to hold my husband’s hand in this way! Tailwind’s done it again! Sincerely, Shary

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Good Thursday afternoon, Everyone! It occured to me that I neglected to mention exactly what my new way of doing the tailwind is. Basically picture the position of a hand shake; I now hold on to the T-bar vertically, rather than horizontally on top of the T-bar. This allows me to use my tailwind alone during the day, instead of being strapped down on it by my husband, Beautiful Bob. So that’s it! Sincerely, Shary

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While at the convention in Orlando, Chris suggested a new way for me to use the tailwind. I have been faithfully using this new method ever since then. The major benefit to this new way of doing things is that I am able to use the tailwind without my husband’s help. I am now able to use the tailwind during the days, when I am not as tired. (My husband had to previously strap my hand onto the left handle) I like being able to do my exercises alone. I’m thinking that this new way will also eventually assist my left hand in functioning a little better! I will keep moving forward and will let you know about my progress. Sincerely, Shary

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…as Mark McEwen, Chris, Caroline, and I discussed at dinner, during the tailwind conference. Well, leave it to my Beautiful Bob to turn that statement into something positive: No, stroke isn’t sexy, but RECOVERY IS SEXY! Sincerely, Shary, recovering stroke survivor.

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(This one’s for Caroline)
You CAN train an old dog to do new tricks! Tailwind has proven this. Every day that I do my tailwind exercises, I tell my beloved dog, Misty, that,”it’s time to do the tailwind.” And before I can walk over to my dining room table(where my tailwind is permanently positioned), Misty immediately gets in HER permanent position of laying at my feet under the table, while exercising. When the metronome stops clicking, she knows that particular session is done, and then she immediately gets up and heads for her other position of “couch potato” with me. So now we both are trained to respond to the metronome’s click! Sincerely, Shary

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Good Wednesday morning, Everyone! First, I must say that I have permission from my husband to write this. Second, I will tell you WHY I needed his permission. Yesterday he surprised me by coming home early, and because it was a gorgeous afternoon outside, we decided to play miniature golf together! Yeah, can you believe it! – that a stroke survivor with one limb working decided to tackle this latest mountain! Besides climbing up and down quite difficult surfaces on the course, I managed to BEAT my able bodied husband by NINE STROKES – Well, TEN, if you count the one I had on 01/07/2007! Bring it on, stroke! Sincerely, Shary

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This is minor, but it’s also hopeful: Yesterday I decided to try filling a huge water container that was empty. I keep this container in the refrigerator, and usually it is my husband’s job to fiill it up, as it is rather large and heavy. But because he was going to be late, I didn’t want to wait for his arrival home. After I filled the jug with water, I suddenly (without thinking) lifted it up and used my left arm to support the weight of the jug. When I placed the container back into the refrigerator, I realized with great surprise that I had done this task without thinking about it. So I actually USED my left limb for a purpose – to assist my right arm’s duty! Slowly, but surely, my tailwind is doing its job!
Sincerely, Shary

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